Arrhythmia Treatment

Heart rhythm disturbances can manifest themselves in different ways: by rapid heartbeat, irregularities, or a feeling of the heart “freezing.” Such conditions are not always dangerous, however, they require attention, since they may indicate both functional changes and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

It is important not to ignore even periodic symptoms and to consult a doctor in a timely manner. At the clinic “Oxford Medical,” comprehensive diagnostics and treatment of arrhythmia are carried out taking into account the cause of the rhythm disturbance and the individual characteristics of the patient.

Arrhythmia is a disturbance of the normal rhythm of heart contractions, in which the heart works unevenly. Normally, the heart rhythm should be regular and coordinated in order to ensure stable blood supply to organs and tissues.

With the development of arrhythmia, not only the frequency of contractions changes, but also their sequence and coordination. As a result, the heart may work less efficiently, due to which the body at certain moments receives less oxygen than needed.

It is important to understand that rhythm disturbances can be both temporary and permanent. In some cases they do not pose a threat, but sometimes they require examination and monitoring in order to rule out serious diseases.

There are different types of arrhythmia, which differ by the mechanism of occurrence and manifestations.

The most common variants:

• tachycardia — rapid heartbeat, which may be accompanied by a feeling of pulsation, anxiety, or discomfort in the chest;
• bradycardia of the heart — slowing of the pulse, which often manifests itself by weakness, dizziness, or darkening in the eyes;
• extrasystole — single extraordinary contractions, which are felt as irregularities or “freezing” of the heart;
• atrial fibrillation — an irregular rhythm, in which the pulse becomes chaotic and may be accompanied by shortness of breath and weakness;
• blockades — disturbances of impulse conduction in the heart, which manifest themselves by slowing of the rhythm or worsening of well-being.

Such cardiac arrhythmias can affect the body in different ways: some are manifested only by periodic discomfort, others require mandatory diagnostics and monitoring because of the risk of complications.

Heart rhythm disturbances occur when the work of the conduction system of the heart changes or when external or internal factors affect it. In such cases, electrical impulses are formed or conducted incorrectly, which leads to a rhythm disturbance.

The most common causes:

• ischemic heart disease — due to insufficient blood supply to the myocardium, the cells receive less oxygen, which can disrupt the formation of electrical impulses;
• arterial hypertension — a prolonged increase in pressure creates an additional load on the heart and affects its work;
• hormonal disturbances — diseases of the thyroid gland can change the frequency of heart contractions;
• stress and overfatigue — increase the level of stress hormones, which affect the heart rhythm;
• electrolyte imbalance disturbances — changes in the level of potassium, magnesium, or sodium disrupt the transmission of electrical impulses;
• harmful habits — smoking, alcohol, and excess caffeine can provoke irregularities in the work of the heart;
• taking certain medications — especially those that affect the cardiovascular system.

In most cases, heart arrhythmia occurs under the influence of several factors at the same time. That is why it is important not only to record the rhythm disturbance, but also to determine its cause — this makes it possible to select effective treatment of arrhythmia and reduce the risk of repeated episodes.

Heart rhythm disturbances do not always immediately lead to serious problems, however, in the absence of control they can gradually affect the functioning of the heart and other organs. This is due to the fact that with arrhythmia the heart does not always pump blood effectively.

Possible consequences of arrhythmia:

• decreased efficiency of heart function — because of irregular or overly frequent or rare contractions, the heart does not have time to pump blood fully, which can cause weakness and fatigue;
• development of heart failure — a prolonged rhythm disturbance increases the load on the heart and over time can lead to its weakening;
• deterioration of blood supply to organs — the brain and other organs may receive less oxygen, which is manifested by dizziness, decreased working capacity, or fainting;
• formation of blood clots — in some types of arrhythmia, blood may stagnate in the chambers of the heart, which increases the risk of thrombus formation and complications, in particular stroke;
• sudden worsening of the condition — in severe rhythm disturbances, life-threatening conditions are possible, which require emergency care.

It is important to understand that the risk of complications depends on the type of arrhythmia and the general condition of the heart, therefore even with minor symptoms it is not worth postponing examination.

Examination in case of suspected cardiac arrhythmias begins with the analysis of complaints, collection of medical history, and assessment of the general condition of the patient. The doctor clarifies how often the symptoms occur, what provokes them, and whether they affect well-being and daily activity.

The main diagnostic method is an electrocardiogram, which allows recording rhythm disturbances and assessing the work of the heart at the time of the examination. However, many arrhythmias are periodic in nature and may not manifest themselves during a short recording.

In such cases, additional methods are used:

• 24-hour ECG monitoring (Holter monitoring) — allows assessing the work of the heart over 24–48 hours and recording episodes of rhythm disturbance under different conditions;
• ultrasound of the heart — is used to assess the structure of the myocardium, the function of the heart, and to detect concomitant changes;
• laboratory tests — help identify hormonal or metabolic disorders that may affect the heart rhythm.

After establishing the diagnosis, the doctor determines the management tactics for the patient. It depends on the type of arrhythmia, the frequency of episodes, the severity of symptoms, and the presence of concomitant diseases.

In some cases, observation is sufficient, however, active treatment of arrhythmia is necessary if:

• the symptoms affect daily life (weakness, dizziness, irregularities in the work of the heart);
• the episodes occur frequently or tend to progress;
• there is a risk of complications, in particular thrombus formation or heart failure;
• rhythm disturbances are associated with heart diseases or other systemic disorders.

Most arrhythmias do not require complex interventions and are well controlled by conservative methods.

The main approaches to treatment include:

• drug therapy — the use of medications to normalize the heart rhythm or control the heart rate;
• heart rhythm control — individually selected therapy aimed at reducing the frequency of episodes and improving well-being;
• catheter treatment methods (radiofrequency ablation) — are used less often, mainly in persistent or symptomatic rhythm disturbances, when drug therapy is not sufficiently effective;
• implantation of a pacemaker — is used in cases when the heart cannot maintain a sufficient rate of contractions on its own.

Treatment tactics are selected individually and depend on the type of arrhythmia, the frequency of its occurrence, the presence of symptoms, and the general condition of the cardiovascular system. An important role is also played by the prevention of arrhythmia, which includes control of risk factors, correction of lifestyle, reduction of stress level, and timely treatment of concomitant diseases.

The cost of arrhythmia treatment depends on the cause of the rhythm disturbance, the severity of symptoms, the scope of necessary examinations, and the tactics of further management. For some patients, a consultation with a cardiologist, basic diagnostics, and observation are sufficient, whereas in other cases additional examinations and more complex treatment may be needed.

You can ознакомиться with the prices for doctors’ consultations here in advance. The doctor will inform you in more detail about the possibilities, program, and cost of treatment during the initial consultation.

At the clinic “Oxford Medical,” modern medical services are available for the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disturbances. You can book an appointment at a convenient time for you by phone or through the online booking form on the website.